Off to a good start

Acqueme Johnson (second left) and Kymana James (second right), with members of the Scotia Insurance team, Lana Forbes (left), director sales and services, and Hugh Reid (right), president, after each receiving scholarships, valued at $200,000, towards their university education.

At 18 years old, Acqueme Johnson has already applied for a position in a civil-engineering programme in university and has secured a $200,000 scholarship from Scotia Insurance. Johnson is in sixth form at St Mary High School.

An honour-roll student, Johnson, was one of 16 scholars to receive scholarships and bursaries, totalling $750,000, from the Scotia Insurance Education Wealth Plan competition.

"When I received the call, I was elated because the course is quite expensive," he said.

His mother could not contain her excitement.

The promotion ran from July to August. It encouraged Scotia Mutual Funds and ScotiaMINT customers to save and plan towards education, with the chance of winning scholarships or bursaries to tertiary institutions and high schools.

To be eligible, the account/ policyholder must have an active policy or mutual fund, for at least a year, and must have been up-to-date with their minimum monthly contributions.

Johnson, along with Kymana James, who is in first year, studying medicine, were winners in the top category and each received $200,000 towards their university education.

According to Scotia Insurance president Hugh Reid, Scotia Insurance continues to assist with scholarships and bursaries, because, "We are invested in supporting young people, especially when it is assisting them attain educational ambitions. I congratulate the award recipients, many of whom I spoke with, and am impressed with their commitment, dedication and hard work," Reid said.